A 12-step guide to thoroughly cleaning a nursery or child’s room in just a few hours, or over a few days.

Wipe down the crib or bed and all other furniture with cleaner and a cloth.

done!Clean the upholstery.

Dust any upholstered pieces—such as a rocking-chair cushion, an ottoman, or beanbag chairs—with a moistened cloth. Or gently go over the fabric with a dry-cleaning sponge.

done!Sanitize the changing table and diaper pail.

Use all-purpose cleaner and a cloth. Wipe down any baby products sitting on the table with a cloth.

done!Launder the bedding.

Wash everything—mattress pads, sheets, blankets, comforters, and pillowcases—in hot water. For good measure, throw in pillows every few washes.

done!Dust any photos, tchotchkes, and artwork.

Use a microfiber cloth or an extendable duster. Spritz glass cleaner on a cloth and wipe down any glass in long, horizontal strokes to avoid streaking.

done!Disinfect the wastebasket.

Spray all-purpose cleaner both inside and outside the bin and wipe down with a cloth.

done!Vacuum the floors.

Or mop them with a dust mop. Move big pieces of furniture, such as cribs, changing tables, beds, and toy chests, and clean underneath, around, and behind them. Don’t forget to clear everything off the closet floor and run the dust mop or vacuum over it. Dust bunnies breed behind closet doors.

done!Do the light fixtures.

Dust with an extendable duster.

done!Wash the windows.

Spritz glass cleaner on a newspaper or use a squeegee and a solution of dishwashing liquid and water.

done!Clean the blinds or curtains.

Wipe blinds with an extendable duster. Vacuum curtains with a brush attachment or wipe them with a dry-cleaning sponge.

done!Wash the toys.

Machine wash stuffed animals and let them air-dry—or throw them in the freezer to kill germs. Clean plastic toys with a disinfecting wipe and wooden ones with a wet cloth moistened with dishwashing liquid.

done!Vacuum the mattress and box spring.

Use a brush attachment and a high setting. Carefully go over the entire surface, paying special attention to indented or buttoned areas, where dust can lodge.

Daily Finds

All honeys are not created equal—and if you've only tried the kind that comes in a bear-shaped bottle, it's time to expand your horizons. Like wine, a honey's flavor can vary dramatically depending on when it was made, the region it came from, and the type of flowers and trees that fed its hive. These seven standouts range from the light and floral to the dark and smoky—and are all worth buzzing about.